US20220411171A1 - An aerosol dispensing valve system and a container comprising an aerosol dispensing valve system - Google Patents
An aerosol dispensing valve system and a container comprising an aerosol dispensing valve system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20220411171A1 US20220411171A1 US17/778,502 US202017778502A US2022411171A1 US 20220411171 A1 US20220411171 A1 US 20220411171A1 US 202017778502 A US202017778502 A US 202017778502A US 2022411171 A1 US2022411171 A1 US 2022411171A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- container
- aerosol
- dispensing
- cavity
- valve system
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Links
- 239000000443 aerosol Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 132
- 238000007599 discharging Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 3
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 9
- 238000013022 venting Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 26
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 21
- 239000003380 propellant Substances 0.000 description 9
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 6
- 239000012528 membrane Substances 0.000 description 5
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 5
- IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Atomic nitrogen Chemical compound N#N IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 description 4
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000013013 elastic material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000006260 foam Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910052757 nitrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000006072 paste Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000843 powder Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000007704 transition Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001276 controlling effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002537 cosmetic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000006071 cream Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003814 drug Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003344 environmental pollutant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920000126 latex Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920002529 medical grade silicone Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 244000005700 microbiome Species 0.000 description 1
- 239000002674 ointment Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000008177 pharmaceutical agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000825 pharmaceutical preparation Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229940127557 pharmaceutical product Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 231100000719 pollutant Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 238000004064 recycling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001105 regulatory effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012958 reprocessing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000012858 resilient material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000630 rising effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920002379 silicone rubber Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004945 silicone rubber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B65D83/54—
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
- B65D83/14—Containers for dispensing liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant
- B65D83/44—Valves specially adapted for the discharge of contents; Regulating devices
- B65D83/52—Metering valves; Metering devices
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
- B65D83/14—Containers for dispensing liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant
- B65D83/60—Containers for dispensing liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant with contents and propellant separated
- B65D83/62—Containers for dispensing liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant with contents and propellant separated by membranes, bags or the like
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
- G01F11/00—Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it
- G01F11/02—Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it with measuring chambers which expand or contract during measurement
- G01F11/08—Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it with measuring chambers which expand or contract during measurement of the diaphragm or bellows type
- G01F11/086—Apparatus requiring external operation adapted at each repeated and identical operation to measure and separate a predetermined volume of fluid or fluent solid material from a supply or container, without regard to weight, and to deliver it with measuring chambers which expand or contract during measurement of the diaphragm or bellows type using an auxiliary pressure to cooperate with the diaphragm or bellows
Definitions
- the invention relates to an aerosol dispensing valve system and a container comprising an aerosol dispensing valve system.
- the objects of the invention are applied inter alia in pharmaceutical, food, cosmetic, and chemical industries, particularly for storing and dispensing agents at a predefined volume.
- Aerosol containers have gained enormous popularity, as they offer efficiency, convenience and safety of use.
- an aerosol container is a disposable or reusable vessel, made of metal, glass, or plastic, containing pressurized, liquefied, or dissolved gas.
- Aerosol containers can also contain liquid, paste or powder, and are usually equipped with a dispensing device, enabling the application of the product in a form of solid or liquid particles suspended in gas, or in a form of foam, paste, or powder, or in a liquid or gaseous state.
- a classic aerosol container comprises a sprayed agent (e.g.
- a propellant being a fluid or a gas under pressure. Triggering the aerosol valve causes the valve to be opened and the sprayed agent to be discharged by the pressurized propellant towards the outlet, usually ended with a dispensing head, thus creating a finely dispersed stream.
- Aerosol packages gained their popularity due to a number of advantages that they offer.
- Products stored in aerosol packages usually have long lifespan, mainly because of a hermetic sealing which prevents the contact between the stored product and the environment, especially pollutants and microorganisms.
- This advantage is particularly appreciated for storing pharmaceutical agents, where maintaining maximal purity is an essential factor.
- U.S. patent application No. US2015353267A1 discloses an aerosol valve for dispensing a metered volume of liquid.
- the aerosol valve comprises a side metering reservoir, which allows a metered volume of the product to be dispensed.
- the reservoir consists of an upper part, which is non-elastic, and of a lower part in the form of a flexible membrane, thus providing a semi-elastic metering reservoir.
- the metering reservoir is filled to the volume limited by the ability of the membrane to expand.
- the communication channel between the metering reservoir and the receptacle is closed, and the passage between the metering reservoir and the dispensing channel is opened.
- the pressure difference and the elasticity of the membrane allow the contents of the metering reservoir to be discharged outside.
- U.S. patent application No. US2018141745A1 discloses an aerosol valve for dispensing a metered volume of product.
- the valve comprises a dispensing reservoir arranged in a receptacle.
- the dispensing reservoir consists of an inner portion, which is rigid, and of an outer portion in the form of a flexible membrane. This system forms a semi-flexible reservoir.
- the valve When the valve is in closed position, the sprayed product is introduced into the reservoir, filling it up to the volume limited by the ability of the membrane to expand. After the stem is pushed, the channel connecting the reservoir with the receptacle is closed and the channel leading to the outside of the valve is opened. The reservoir is thus emptied.
- valve system for dosing a predetermined quantity of content, particularly in the form of foam.
- the valve system comprises a cap which is mounted on the valve and which houses a metering chamber.
- the volume of a dose is regulated by turning the cap and thus by changing the volume of the metering chamber.
- the system is based on a valve, which fills the metering chamber during the phase of pushing the stem, and which opens the discharge to the dispensing nozzle and discharges the contents outside the metering chamber during the phase of releasing the stem.
- U.S. Pat. No. 3,301,444A discloses an aerosol valve allowing a predetermined measured volume of product to be dispensed, the valve comprising a measuring chamber, which has its volume defined by the dose, and which is filled with the product when the valve is in closed position.
- the pressing of an actuator stem closes the metering chamber inlet aperture and opens the discharge outlet through the dispensing head. In such a case, the valve discharges the volume of a product contained in the measuring chamber.
- a container for dispensing a dose of the product is also known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,031,802A.
- the container comprises a valve system fitted inside a bottleneck.
- the valve system comprises a metering chamber.
- the metering chamber is made of an elastic material in the form of a bellows.
- a cap In order to discharge a metered dose of a product, a cap must be first removed. The removal of the cap causes the volume of the metering chamber to increase and creates a negative pressure. The negative pressure frees a ball which blocks a conduit connected with a plunger tube. In this manner, the conduit is opened, and the metering chamber is filled with the product. Complete unscrewing of the cap breaks the fluid-tightness and causes the ball to drop. Thus, the user is provided with a metered volume of a product.
- the technical problem of the present invention is to provide such an aerosol dispensing valve system and a container comprising such an aerosol dispensing valve system which would allow an accurately metered volume of a product to be dispensed while maintaining highly repeatable doses until the container is completely emptied, this being achieved regardless of the surrounding conditions such as ambient temperature or the viscosity of the dispensed product. It is also desirable that the aerosol dispensing valve system has a relatively simple construction, which would in particular not influence the structure and external dimensions of the aerosol dispensing valve system and of the container comprising such a system. It is moreover desirable to provide such an aerosol dispensing valve system, in which the dispensed product is not in contact with the propellant gas.
- the first aspect of the invention is an aerosol dispensing valve system for dispensing a metered dose of product, comprising a first aerosol valve, fluidly connected with the first reservoir, wherein the first aerosol valve comprises a first releasing stem connected with a first closure, a first outlet channel for discharging the product, a first inner seal resiliently deformed by the first releasing stem, and a first body portion defining a first cavity, characterized in that the first reservoir is fluidly connected with the first cavity through the supply channel and the first cavity is fluidly connected with a dispensing container provided with resilient means for compressing the dispensing container, wherein the dispensing container is arranged in a rigid limiting container.
- a second aerosol valve is arranged between the supply channel and the first reservoir, the said second aerosol valve comprising a second releasing stem connected with a second closure, a second inner seal resiliently deformed by the second releasing stem, and a second body portion defining a second cavity, wherein the second cavity is connected with the first reservoir and with the first cavity of the first aerosol valve through the supply channel.
- the first aerosol valve and/or the second aerosol valve comprises a spring arranged in the cavity and exerting pressure on the closing element in the direction of the releasing stem.
- the first outlet channel extends symmetrically along the rotational symmetry axis of the first releasing stem, forming a tubular structure.
- the first reservoir is a bag.
- the rigid limiting container is hermetic, and the inner space of the limiting container is filled with gas of a pressure lower than the pressure in the first reservoir.
- the rigid limiting container is connected with a venting channel connected with the outside of the aerosol dispensing valve system.
- the resilient means are a resilient piston or a resilient spongy material or a gas spring.
- the dispensing container provided with resilient means is a resilient dispensing container.
- the resilient dispensing container has an initial volume equal to zero, and the preliminary internal pressure from its elasticity has a positive value lower than the pressure in the first reservoir.
- the outlet of the supply channel is located in the first cavity, in the vicinity of the first inner seal or of the second inner seal.
- the second aspect of the invention is a container for storing and dispensing a product of a predefined dose, comprising an outer casing, preferably made of aluminum, and an aerosol dispensing valve system, characterized in that the aerosol dispensing valve system is an aerosol dispensing valve system as defined in the first aspect of the invention.
- the aerosol dispensing valve system of the present invention owing to the use of a resilient dispensing container arranged in a rigid limiting container, allows an accurately metered volume of a product to be dispensed while maintaining highly repeatable doses until the container is completely emptied, this being achieved regardless of the surrounding conditions such as ambient temperature or the viscosity of the dispensed product.
- the hermetic limiting container filled with gas of a defined pressure lower than the pressure in the reservoir is used in the case when the propellant gas is a gas in the two-phase condition which ensures a constant pressure in the reservoir from its fully filled state to its entirely empty state.
- a dispensing valve system in which the rigid limiting container is in contact with the environment is used in the case when the propellant gas is a single-phase gas, e.g. compressed air.
- the propellant gas is a single-phase gas, e.g. compressed air.
- the pressure in the reservoir decreases from an initial value to a final value, wherein under the final pressure the resilient dispensing container fills the entire volume of the rigid limiting container, thus providing a constant dose to be dispensed from the start to the end of the product depletion process.
- the use of the second aerosol valve arranged between the supply channel and the first reservoir allows the filling of the resilient dispensing container, and consequently the metering of the dose to be dispensed, in an on-demand operation, without the need to simultaneously discharge the product.
- the construction of the aerosol dispensing valve system allows the dispensing of a product which is in the form of an aerosol, a liquid, a cream or an ointment.
- the aerosol dispensing valve system has a simple construction, which does not influence the structure and external dimensions of the aerosol dispensing valve system and of the container comprising such a system.
- the aerosol dispensing valve system ensures a lack of contact between the dispensed product and the propellant gas.
- FIG. 1 shows a partial longitudinal cross-section of the container comprising the first embodiment of the aerosol dispensing valve system
- FIG. 2 shows a partial longitudinal cross-section of the container comprising the second embodiment of the aerosol dispensing valve system
- FIG. 3 shows a partial longitudinal cross-section of the container of FIG. 2 with the resilient dispensing container in filled state
- FIG. 4 shows a partial longitudinal cross-section of the container comprising the third embodiment of the aerosol dispensing valve system
- FIG. 5 shows a partial longitudinal cross-section of the container comprising the fourth embodiment of the aerosol dispensing valve system
- FIG. 6 shows a partial longitudinal cross-section of the container of FIG. 5 with the dispensing container in filled state
- FIG. 1 shows a partial longitudinal cross-section of the container comprising the first embodiment of the aerosol dispensing valve system
- FIG. 2 shows a partial longitudinal cross-section of the container comprising the second embodiment of the aerosol dispensing valve system
- FIG. 3 shows a partial longitudinal cross-section of the container of
- FIG. 7 shows a partial longitudinal cross-section of the container comprising the fifth embodiment of the aerosol dispensing valve system
- FIG. 8 shows a partial longitudinal cross-section of the container of FIG. 7 with the dispensing container in filled state
- FIG. 9 shows a partial longitudinal cross-section of the container comprising the sixth embodiment of the aerosol dispensing valve system
- FIG. 10 shows a partial longitudinal cross-section of the container of FIG. 9 with the dispensing container in filled state
- FIG. 11 shows a partial longitudinal cross-section of the container comprising the seventh embodiment of the aerosol dispensing valve system
- FIG. 12 shows a partial longitudinal cross-section of the container of FIG. 11 with the dispensing container in filled state.
- the first embodiment of the container for storing and dispensing a product of a predefined dose comprising an aerosol dispensing valve system of the present invention has been illustrated in the partial longitudinal cross-section in FIG. 1 .
- the container with the aerosol dispensing valve system comprises an outer casing 13 made of aluminum, a first reservoir 2 with the main product, and a first aerosol valve 1 fluidly connected with the first reservoir 2 .
- the first reservoir 2 is an elastic bag known from the Bag-On-Valve (BOV) type aerosol valves.
- the aerosol valve 1 used in this embodiment is a standard male valve whose construction is known to the skilled in the art.
- the first valve 1 comprises a first cavity 8 formed in the body 7 and is released by a tubular first releasing stem 3 with a first outlet channel 5 extending coaxially.
- the inner part of the first releasing stem 3 has a first closure 4 fastened thereto and adjacent from the top (in the normal rest position of the container) to a first inner seal 6 comprising a rubber flat gasket ring which surrounds the first releasing stem 3 and is deformed from the bottom by the first releasing stem 3 .
- the first inner seal 6 is thus arranged between the upper surface of the first closure 4 and the upper part of the outer casing 13 which covers the head portion of the container for storing and dispensing a product.
- the upper part of the first closure 4 and the first inner seal 6 are surrounded by a head 15 which comprises a plate made of plastic, such as PVC, and which fills the head portion of the container.
- the first closure 4 has a shape of a tube narrowing downwards in such a manner that the upper part of the first closure 4 is a tube having a first diameter, gradually narrowing in the intermediate part, and having a stepped transition into a second diameter which is smaller than the first diameter.
- the first diameter and the gradual narrowing downwards of the closure 4 substantially correspond to the geometry of the first cavity 8 , while ensuring that the first closure can move vertically in the first cavity 8 .
- the first cavity 8 has a first spring 14 arranged therein, which rests with its one end against the bottom of the first cavity 8 , and with its other end against the stepped transition area of the first closure 4 .
- the first spring 14 is arranged in the first cavity 8 and initially compressed, so that it exerts pressure on the first closure 4 in the direction of the first releasing stem 3 .
- a channel extending through the body 7 to the cylindrical fastening arranged at the bottom end of the body 7 .
- the rigid limiting container 11 fitted to the cylindrical fastening.
- the rigid limiting container 11 is a hermetically closed compartment, the inner space 12 of which is filled with gas-air—having an initial first pressure lower than the pressure in the first reservoir 2 .
- the volume of the rigid limiting container 11 allows the metering of the dispensed dose.
- dispensing container 10 arranged in the inner space 12 of the rigid limiting container 11 , the dispensing container 10 being provided with resilient means 25 , which exert a pressure on the dispensing container 10 and cause it to compress.
- the dispensing container 10 together with the resilient means 25 was embodied as a resilient material which ensures that the dispensing container 10 is continuously compressed.
- a material suitable for the construction of the dispensing container 10 which would provide a bulk modulus of the dispensing container 10 for the purpose of accumulating energy from the pressure of the product introduced into the dispensing container 10 , can be latex rubber or silicone rubber, in particular rubber approved for contact with food or pharmaceutical products.
- the dispensing container 10 In a situation when no pressurized agent is being delivered to the resilient dispensing container 10 , the dispensing container is completely empty. As can be seen in FIG. 1 , the dispensing container 10 is hermetically connected with the cylindrical fastening of the body 7 .
- the first reservoir 2 containing the main product for being dispensed is fluidly connected with the first cavity 8 of the first aerosol valve 1 via the supply channel 9 extending through the body 7 .
- the supply channel 9 changes from extending vertically to extending at an angle, and its outlet is located on the sloping wall of the first cavity 8 , in the vicinity of the first inner seal 6 .
- the aerosol dispensing valve system operates in the following steps.
- the product stored at a certain pressure in the first reservoir 2 flows through the supply channel 9 to the first cavity 8 of the first aerosol valve 1 and further, via the channel extending through the body 7 , to the resilient dispensing container 10 .
- the resilient dispensing container 10 takes the energy from the pressure of the product and expands to the volume limited by the volume of the rigid limiting container 11 , compressing the gas present in (filling) the limiting container 11 to the state of equilibrium.
- Such a solution can be used in the case when the propellant gas is a gas in the two-phase condition which ensures a constant pressure in the first reservoir 2 , from its fully filled state to its entirely empty state.
- pressing the first releasing stem 3 opens the first aerosol valve 1 .
- the vertical movement downwards of the first releasing stem 3 also causes the first inner seal 6 to deform in such a manner that it covers and simultaneously closes the outlet of the supply channel 9 fluidly connected with the first reservoir 2 .
- the vertical movement downwards of the first releasing stem 3 causes a channel extending transversely in the first releasing stem 3 and located in the vicinity of the connection between the first releasing stem 3 and the first closure 4 to be uncovered, thereby opening the first aerosol valve 1 .
- the elastic strain energy of the resilient dispensing container 10 and the energy of the gas compressed in the rigid limiting container 11 cause the resilient dispensing container 10 to be emptied in a precisely defined dose equal to the volume of the rigid limiting container 11 reduced by the volume of the gas compressed in the rigid limiting container 11 .
- the product stored in the resilient dispensing container 10 is discharged from the resilient dispensing container 10 into the first cavity 8 and further, via the first outlet channel 5 , outside of the aerosol dispensing valve system.
- the resilient dispensing container 10 can be selected in such a manner that its initial volume is equal to zero, and the preliminary internal pressure from its elasticity has a positive value lower than the pressure in the first reservoir 2 .
- the first releasing stem 3 After the first releasing stem 3 is released, it returns to its initial position, moved by the pressure caused by the first spring 14 .
- the inlet channel extending perpendicularly in the first releasing stem 3 is closed by being sealed with the first inner seal 6 , and the return deformation of the first inner seal 6 opens the outlet of the supply channel 9 , thus opening a passage for the product stored in the first reservoir 2 to fill again the resilient dispensing container 10 up to the volume limited by the rigid limiting container 11 .
- the second embodiment of the container for storing and dispensing a product of a predefined dose comprising an aerosol dispensing valve system according to the present invention has been illustrated in the partial longitudinal cross-sections in FIGS. 2 and 3 .
- the container with the aerosol dispensing valve system is similar in construction to the construction of the container with the aerosol dispensing valve system presented in the first embodiment, and therefore similar components will not be described again for the clarity of this description of the invention.
- the second embodiment of the container with the aerosol dispensing valve system comprises a second aerosol valve 16 .
- the second aerosol valve 16 having a construction substantially similar to the first aerosol valve 1 , is arranged between the first reservoir 2 and the supply channel 9 .
- the second aerosol valve 16 comprises a vertically extending second releasing stem 17 , which in this embodiment is a blind releasing stem connected with a second closure 18 .
- the construction and geometry of the second closure 18 and of the second cavity 20 are substantially similar to the construction and geometry of the first closure 4 and of the first cavity 8 and therefore for clarity they will not be described again here.
- the second releasing stem 17 is sealed from above with an additional seal 19 arranged in the area of the head 15 , in the vicinity of the upper part of the outer casing 13 .
- an initially compressed second spring 21 which exerts pressure on the second closure 18 in the direction of the second releasing stem 17 .
- a second inner seal 22 which—similarly to the additional seal 19 and the first inner seal 6 —is a rubber flat gasket ring.
- the second releasing stem 17 comprises a through channel 24 which connects in the lower part of the second releasing stem 17 , in the connection area of the second releasing stem 17 with the second closure 18 , to a perpendicularly extending channel, which is closed by the second inner seal 22 when the second aerosol valve 16 is in closed position.
- the through channel 24 connects to the perpendicularly extending channel arranged in the second aerosol valve 16 , in the area between the additional seal 19 and the second inner seal 22 , the second aerosol valve 16 being in the closed position.
- the supply channel 9 extends at an angle through the head 15 and its one outlet is located in the first cavity 8 , in the vicinity of the first inner seal 6 , and its other outlet is located in the area between the additional seal 19 and the second inner seal 22 , in the vicinity of the channel perpendicularly extending from the through channel 24 .
- the aerosol dispensing valve system operates in the following steps. After the second releasing stem 17 is pressed, the second aerosol valve 16 is opened. The vertical movement downwards of the second releasing stem 17 causes the perpendicular channel located in the connection area of the second releasing stem 17 with the second closure 18 to be moved downwards, and thereby to be opened to the second cavity 20 . The product contained in the first reservoir 2 flows into the second cavity 20 and then, via the through channel 24 , to the supply channel 9 , and further via the first cavity 8 to the dispensing container 10 , which is provided with resilient means 25 and which is in this embodiment, as was in the first embodiment, the resilient dispensing container 10 made of an elastic material.
- the resilient dispensing container 10 takes the energy from the pressure of the product and expands to the volume of the rigid limiting container 11 , compressing the gas present in it to the state of equilibrium. This situation is illustrated in FIG. 3 , in which the resilient dispensing container 10 is in the fully expanded state and fills entirely the inner space 12 of the rigid limiting container 11 .
- the releasing of the second releasing stem 17 causes the perpendicular channel and the through channel 24 connected with the perpendicular channel to be closed.
- the subsequent pressing of the first releasing stem 3 causes the first aerosol valve 1 to be opened and a predefined dose of the product contained in the resilient dispensing container 10 to be discharged. Releasing of the first releasing stem 3 causes the first aerosol valve 1 to be closed again.
- the third embodiment of the container for storing and dispensing a product of a predefined dose comprising an aerosol dispensing valve system according to the present invention has been illustrated in the partial longitudinal cross-section in FIG. 4 .
- the container with the aerosol dispensing valve system is similar in construction to the construction of the container with the aerosol dispensing valve system presented in the second embodiment, and therefore similar components will not be described again for the clarity of this description of the invention.
- the third embodiment of the container with the aerosol dispensing valve system comprises a venting channel 23 , which extends from the rigid limiting container 11 through the body 7 to the outside of the aerosol dispensing valve system, thereby connecting the inner space 12 of the limiting container 11 with the environment of the container for storing and dispensing a product of a predefined dose.
- a venting channel 23 which extends from the rigid limiting container 11 through the body 7 to the outside of the aerosol dispensing valve system, thereby connecting the inner space 12 of the limiting container 11 with the environment of the container for storing and dispensing a product of a predefined dose.
- the propellant gas is a single-phase gas, e.g. compressed air.
- the pressure in the first reservoir 2 decreases from an initial value (reservoir 2 full) to a final value (reservoir 2 empty).
- the resilient dispensing container 10 is designed in such a way that under the final pressure it fills the entire inner space 12 of the rigid limiting container 11 , thus providing a constant dose to be dispensed from the start to the end of emptying the first reservoir 2 .
- the resilient dispensing container 10 can be selected in such a manner that its initial volume is equal to zero, and the preliminary internal pressure from its elasticity has a positive value lower than the pressure in the first reservoir 2 .
- the fourth embodiment of the container for storing and dispensing a product of a predefined dose comprising an aerosol dispensing valve system according to the present invention has been illustrated in the partial longitudinal cross-sections in FIGS. 5 and 6 .
- the container with the aerosol dispensing valve system is similar in construction to the construction of the container with the aerosol dispensing valve system presented in the first embodiment, and therefore similar components will not be described again for the clarity of this description of the invention.
- the fourth embodiment of the container with the aerosol dispensing valve system comprises resilient means 25 exerting pressure on the dispensing container 10 , wherein the resilient means 25 are not an integrated structure of the resilient dispensing container 10 , as was the case in example 1 , but instead are made in the form of a resilient piston.
- the resilient piston is arranged in the rigid limiting container 11 and has a piston part and a spring which rests against the bottom part of the rigid limiting container 11 .
- FIG. 5 shows the aerosol dispensing valve system, in which the dispensing container 10 is empty, and the resilient means 25 in the form of a resilient piston are in the fully expanded position, compressing entirely the dispensing container 10 .
- the dispensing container 10 may be made of an elastic material such as for example the first reservoir 2 , in the form of a bag known from the Bag-on-Valve systems. In order to allow it to be more precisely emptied, the dispensing container 10 may be made in the form of a harmony or a bellows.
- the product delivered under pressure exerts a force on the resilient means 25 and overcomes their compressive force, “accumulating” the energy of the pressurized product.
- the dispensing container 10 expands to the volume limited by the volume of the rigid limiting container 11 with allowance for the space occupied by the compressed resilient means 25 (see FIG. 6 ).
- the fifth embodiment of the container for storing and dispensing a product of a predefined dose comprising an aerosol dispensing valve system according to the present invention has been illustrated in the partial longitudinal cross-sections in FIGS. 7 and 8 .
- the container with the aerosol dispensing valve system is similar in construction to the construction of the container with the aerosol dispensing valve system presented in the first and in the fourth embodiments, and therefore similar components will not be described again for the clarity of this description of the invention.
- the fifth embodiment of the container with the aerosol dispensing valve system comprises resilient means 25 exerting pressure on the dispensing container 10 , wherein the resilient means 25 are neither an integrated structure of the resilient dispensing container 10 , as was the case in example 1, nor a resilient piston, as was the case in example 4, but are instead made in the form of a resilient spongy material.
- the spongy material which in this embodiment represents the resilient means 25 may be an elastic medical silicone.
- the sixth embodiment of the container for storing and dispensing a product of a predefined dose comprising an aerosol dispensing valve system according to the present invention has been illustrated in the partial longitudinal cross-sections in FIGS. 9 and 10 .
- the container with the aerosol dispensing valve system is similar in construction to the construction of the container with the aerosol dispensing valve system presented in the first, fourth and fifth embodiments, and therefore similar components will not be described again for the clarity of this description of the invention.
- the sixth embodiment of the container with the aerosol dispensing valve system comprises resilient means 25 exerting pressure on the dispensing container 10 , wherein the resilient means 25 are neither an integrated structure of the resilient dispensing container 10 , as was the case in example 1, nor a resilient piston, as was the case in example 4, nor a resilient spongy material, as was the case in example 5, but are instead made in the form of a gas spring.
- the gas spring is nitrogen pumped into the rigid limiting container 11 under an appropriate pressure. The nitrogen being the gas spring is pumped at the stage of installing the rigid limiting container 11 together with the dispensing container 10 , through a self-vulcanizing valve 26 .
- the presented self-vulcanizing valve 26 self-closes after the removal of the needle which pumps the propellant gas functioning as the gas spring.
- the operating principle of the aerosol dispensing valve system in which the gas spring is used in place of the elastic piston or the elastic spongy material is analogous, and therefore this description will not be repeated for the clarity of this disclosure.
- the seventh embodiment of the container for storing and dispensing a product of a predefined dose comprising an aerosol dispensing valve system according to the present invention has been illustrated in the partial longitudinal cross-sections in FIGS. 11 and 12 .
- the container with the aerosol dispensing valve system is similar in construction to the construction of the container with the aerosol dispensing valve system presented in the first embodiment, and therefore similar components will not be described again for the clarity of this description of the invention.
- the seventh embodiment of the container with the aerosol dispensing valve system has a supply channel 9 , which is fluidly connected in the lower part of the valve with the dispensing container 10 via the open second valve 16 , the cavity 8 and apertures 27 .
- the dispensing container 10 cylindrically surrounds the body 7 of the first valve 1 and of the second valve 16 .
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Abstract
Description
- The invention relates to an aerosol dispensing valve system and a container comprising an aerosol dispensing valve system. The objects of the invention are applied inter alia in pharmaceutical, food, cosmetic, and chemical industries, particularly for storing and dispensing agents at a predefined volume.
- In recent years, a dynamic development of aerosol technologies, which allows the storing and administering of a wide range of products, has been observed. Aerosol containers have gained enormous popularity, as they offer efficiency, convenience and safety of use. Generally, an aerosol container is a disposable or reusable vessel, made of metal, glass, or plastic, containing pressurized, liquefied, or dissolved gas. Aerosol containers can also contain liquid, paste or powder, and are usually equipped with a dispensing device, enabling the application of the product in a form of solid or liquid particles suspended in gas, or in a form of foam, paste, or powder, or in a liquid or gaseous state. A classic aerosol container comprises a sprayed agent (e.g. in liquid form) and a propellant, being a fluid or a gas under pressure. Triggering the aerosol valve causes the valve to be opened and the sprayed agent to be discharged by the pressurized propellant towards the outlet, usually ended with a dispensing head, thus creating a finely dispersed stream.
- Aerosol packages gained their popularity due to a number of advantages that they offer. Products stored in aerosol packages usually have long lifespan, mainly because of a hermetic sealing which prevents the contact between the stored product and the environment, especially pollutants and microorganisms. This advantage is particularly appreciated for storing pharmaceutical agents, where maintaining maximal purity is an essential factor. It should also be noted that, in time of a rising issue of global pollution, it is desirable to use packages that are mostly suitable for recycling, which the aerosol packages undoubtedly are, since they are usually manufactured from aluminum and plastic, almost entirely suitable for reprocessing.
- In some branches of industry, aerosol systems are slow to gain appreciation and thus are not often the first choice for dispensing components. An especially demanding branch of industry is the pharmaceutical industry, in which medical substances must be dispensed under very stringent conditions. It is particularly important to provide the dispensation of a medical substance at a precisely metered dose, which frequently translates into the volume of this pharmaceutical substance. It is vital for controlling the particular amount of an active medical substance delivered to the organism. It is equally important to maintain highly repeatable metering of the doses of the dispensed substance, particularly in the case when the volume in the dispensing container decreases at every act of dispensing.
- U.S. patent application No. US2015353267A1 discloses an aerosol valve for dispensing a metered volume of liquid. The aerosol valve comprises a side metering reservoir, which allows a metered volume of the product to be dispensed. The reservoir consists of an upper part, which is non-elastic, and of a lower part in the form of a flexible membrane, thus providing a semi-elastic metering reservoir. When the valve is in the rest position, the metering reservoir is filled to the volume limited by the ability of the membrane to expand. After the stem is pushed, the communication channel between the metering reservoir and the receptacle is closed, and the passage between the metering reservoir and the dispensing channel is opened. The pressure difference and the elasticity of the membrane allow the contents of the metering reservoir to be discharged outside.
- U.S. patent application No. US2018141745A1 discloses an aerosol valve for dispensing a metered volume of product. The valve comprises a dispensing reservoir arranged in a receptacle. The dispensing reservoir consists of an inner portion, which is rigid, and of an outer portion in the form of a flexible membrane. This system forms a semi-flexible reservoir. When the valve is in closed position, the sprayed product is introduced into the reservoir, filling it up to the volume limited by the ability of the membrane to expand. After the stem is pushed, the channel connecting the reservoir with the receptacle is closed and the channel leading to the outside of the valve is opened. The reservoir is thus emptied.
- Another U.S. patent application No. US2015239645A1 discloses a valve system for dosing a predetermined quantity of content, particularly in the form of foam. The valve system comprises a cap which is mounted on the valve and which houses a metering chamber. The volume of a dose is regulated by turning the cap and thus by changing the volume of the metering chamber. The system is based on a valve, which fills the metering chamber during the phase of pushing the stem, and which opens the discharge to the dispensing nozzle and discharges the contents outside the metering chamber during the phase of releasing the stem.
- U.S. Pat. No. 3,301,444A discloses an aerosol valve allowing a predetermined measured volume of product to be dispensed, the valve comprising a measuring chamber, which has its volume defined by the dose, and which is filled with the product when the valve is in closed position. The pressing of an actuator stem closes the metering chamber inlet aperture and opens the discharge outlet through the dispensing head. In such a case, the valve discharges the volume of a product contained in the measuring chamber.
- A container for dispensing a dose of the product is also known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,031,802A. The container comprises a valve system fitted inside a bottleneck. The valve system comprises a metering chamber. The metering chamber is made of an elastic material in the form of a bellows. In order to discharge a metered dose of a product, a cap must be first removed. The removal of the cap causes the volume of the metering chamber to increase and creates a negative pressure. The negative pressure frees a ball which blocks a conduit connected with a plunger tube. In this manner, the conduit is opened, and the metering chamber is filled with the product. Complete unscrewing of the cap breaks the fluid-tightness and causes the ball to drop. Thus, the user is provided with a metered volume of a product.
- The technical problem of the present invention is to provide such an aerosol dispensing valve system and a container comprising such an aerosol dispensing valve system which would allow an accurately metered volume of a product to be dispensed while maintaining highly repeatable doses until the container is completely emptied, this being achieved regardless of the surrounding conditions such as ambient temperature or the viscosity of the dispensed product. It is also desirable that the aerosol dispensing valve system has a relatively simple construction, which would in particular not influence the structure and external dimensions of the aerosol dispensing valve system and of the container comprising such a system. It is moreover desirable to provide such an aerosol dispensing valve system, in which the dispensed product is not in contact with the propellant gas.
- The first aspect of the invention is an aerosol dispensing valve system for dispensing a metered dose of product, comprising a first aerosol valve, fluidly connected with the first reservoir, wherein the first aerosol valve comprises a first releasing stem connected with a first closure, a first outlet channel for discharging the product, a first inner seal resiliently deformed by the first releasing stem, and a first body portion defining a first cavity, characterized in that the first reservoir is fluidly connected with the first cavity through the supply channel and the first cavity is fluidly connected with a dispensing container provided with resilient means for compressing the dispensing container, wherein the dispensing container is arranged in a rigid limiting container.
- In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a second aerosol valve is arranged between the supply channel and the first reservoir, the said second aerosol valve comprising a second releasing stem connected with a second closure, a second inner seal resiliently deformed by the second releasing stem, and a second body portion defining a second cavity, wherein the second cavity is connected with the first reservoir and with the first cavity of the first aerosol valve through the supply channel.
- In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the first aerosol valve and/or the second aerosol valve comprises a spring arranged in the cavity and exerting pressure on the closing element in the direction of the releasing stem.
- In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the first outlet channel extends symmetrically along the rotational symmetry axis of the first releasing stem, forming a tubular structure.
- Preferably the first reservoir is a bag.
- Preferably, the rigid limiting container is hermetic, and the inner space of the limiting container is filled with gas of a pressure lower than the pressure in the first reservoir.
- More preferably, the rigid limiting container is connected with a venting channel connected with the outside of the aerosol dispensing valve system.
- Preferably, the resilient means are a resilient piston or a resilient spongy material or a gas spring.
- Also preferably, the dispensing container provided with resilient means is a resilient dispensing container.
- In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the resilient dispensing container has an initial volume equal to zero, and the preliminary internal pressure from its elasticity has a positive value lower than the pressure in the first reservoir.
- In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the outlet of the supply channel is located in the first cavity, in the vicinity of the first inner seal or of the second inner seal.
- The second aspect of the invention is a container for storing and dispensing a product of a predefined dose, comprising an outer casing, preferably made of aluminum, and an aerosol dispensing valve system, characterized in that the aerosol dispensing valve system is an aerosol dispensing valve system as defined in the first aspect of the invention.
- The aerosol dispensing valve system of the present invention, owing to the use of a resilient dispensing container arranged in a rigid limiting container, allows an accurately metered volume of a product to be dispensed while maintaining highly repeatable doses until the container is completely emptied, this being achieved regardless of the surrounding conditions such as ambient temperature or the viscosity of the dispensed product. The hermetic limiting container filled with gas of a defined pressure lower than the pressure in the reservoir is used in the case when the propellant gas is a gas in the two-phase condition which ensures a constant pressure in the reservoir from its fully filled state to its entirely empty state. On the other hand, a dispensing valve system in which the rigid limiting container is in contact with the environment is used in the case when the propellant gas is a single-phase gas, e.g. compressed air. In this case, as the product is depleted, the pressure in the reservoir decreases from an initial value to a final value, wherein under the final pressure the resilient dispensing container fills the entire volume of the rigid limiting container, thus providing a constant dose to be dispensed from the start to the end of the product depletion process. The use of the second aerosol valve arranged between the supply channel and the first reservoir allows the filling of the resilient dispensing container, and consequently the metering of the dose to be dispensed, in an on-demand operation, without the need to simultaneously discharge the product. The construction of the aerosol dispensing valve system allows the dispensing of a product which is in the form of an aerosol, a liquid, a cream or an ointment. Moreover, the aerosol dispensing valve system has a simple construction, which does not influence the structure and external dimensions of the aerosol dispensing valve system and of the container comprising such a system. Importantly, the aerosol dispensing valve system ensures a lack of contact between the dispensed product and the propellant gas.
- The subject matter of the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed in the attached examples and can be applied to valves of any types and configurations, without diverting from the scope of the invention. All valve constructions, their positions and their relative arrangement (including vertical, horizontal, and diagonal configurations) known to a person skilled in the art will be suitable for application in the present invention, and the given embodiments are not intended to limit the invention to the disclosed structures and types of valve systems.
- Embodiments of the invention are presented in the drawing, in which
FIG. 1 shows a partial longitudinal cross-section of the container comprising the first embodiment of the aerosol dispensing valve system,FIG. 2 shows a partial longitudinal cross-section of the container comprising the second embodiment of the aerosol dispensing valve system,FIG. 3 shows a partial longitudinal cross-section of the container ofFIG. 2 with the resilient dispensing container in filled state,FIG. 4 shows a partial longitudinal cross-section of the container comprising the third embodiment of the aerosol dispensing valve system,FIG. 5 shows a partial longitudinal cross-section of the container comprising the fourth embodiment of the aerosol dispensing valve system,FIG. 6 shows a partial longitudinal cross-section of the container ofFIG. 5 with the dispensing container in filled state,FIG. 7 shows a partial longitudinal cross-section of the container comprising the fifth embodiment of the aerosol dispensing valve system,FIG. 8 shows a partial longitudinal cross-section of the container ofFIG. 7 with the dispensing container in filled state,FIG. 9 shows a partial longitudinal cross-section of the container comprising the sixth embodiment of the aerosol dispensing valve system,FIG. 10 shows a partial longitudinal cross-section of the container ofFIG. 9 with the dispensing container in filled state,FIG. 11 shows a partial longitudinal cross-section of the container comprising the seventh embodiment of the aerosol dispensing valve system, whileFIG. 12 shows a partial longitudinal cross-section of the container ofFIG. 11 with the dispensing container in filled state. - The first embodiment of the container for storing and dispensing a product of a predefined dose comprising an aerosol dispensing valve system of the present invention has been illustrated in the partial longitudinal cross-section in
FIG. 1 . - The container with the aerosol dispensing valve system comprises an
outer casing 13 made of aluminum, afirst reservoir 2 with the main product, and afirst aerosol valve 1 fluidly connected with thefirst reservoir 2. In this embodiment, thefirst reservoir 2 is an elastic bag known from the Bag-On-Valve (BOV) type aerosol valves. Theaerosol valve 1 used in this embodiment is a standard male valve whose construction is known to the skilled in the art. Generally, thefirst valve 1 comprises afirst cavity 8 formed in thebody 7 and is released by a tubular first releasingstem 3 with afirst outlet channel 5 extending coaxially. The inner part of the first releasingstem 3 has afirst closure 4 fastened thereto and adjacent from the top (in the normal rest position of the container) to a firstinner seal 6 comprising a rubber flat gasket ring which surrounds the first releasingstem 3 and is deformed from the bottom by the first releasingstem 3. The firstinner seal 6 is thus arranged between the upper surface of thefirst closure 4 and the upper part of theouter casing 13 which covers the head portion of the container for storing and dispensing a product. The upper part of thefirst closure 4 and the firstinner seal 6 are surrounded by ahead 15 which comprises a plate made of plastic, such as PVC, and which fills the head portion of the container. Thefirst closure 4 has a shape of a tube narrowing downwards in such a manner that the upper part of thefirst closure 4 is a tube having a first diameter, gradually narrowing in the intermediate part, and having a stepped transition into a second diameter which is smaller than the first diameter. The first diameter and the gradual narrowing downwards of theclosure 4 substantially correspond to the geometry of thefirst cavity 8, while ensuring that the first closure can move vertically in thefirst cavity 8. Moreover, thefirst cavity 8 has afirst spring 14 arranged therein, which rests with its one end against the bottom of thefirst cavity 8, and with its other end against the stepped transition area of thefirst closure 4. Thefirst spring 14 is arranged in thefirst cavity 8 and initially compressed, so that it exerts pressure on thefirst closure 4 in the direction of the first releasingstem 3. In the bottom of thefirst cavity 8, there is formed a channel extending through thebody 7 to the cylindrical fastening arranged at the bottom end of thebody 7. There is a rigid limitingcontainer 11 fitted to the cylindrical fastening. In this embodiment, the rigid limitingcontainer 11 is a hermetically closed compartment, theinner space 12 of which is filled with gas-air—having an initial first pressure lower than the pressure in thefirst reservoir 2. The volume of the rigid limitingcontainer 11 allows the metering of the dispensed dose. There is a dispensingcontainer 10 arranged in theinner space 12 of the rigid limitingcontainer 11, the dispensingcontainer 10 being provided withresilient means 25, which exert a pressure on the dispensingcontainer 10 and cause it to compress. In this embodiment of the invention, the dispensingcontainer 10 together with the resilient means 25 was embodied as a resilient material which ensures that the dispensingcontainer 10 is continuously compressed. A material suitable for the construction of the dispensingcontainer 10, which would provide a bulk modulus of the dispensingcontainer 10 for the purpose of accumulating energy from the pressure of the product introduced into the dispensingcontainer 10, can be latex rubber or silicone rubber, in particular rubber approved for contact with food or pharmaceutical products. In a situation when no pressurized agent is being delivered to theresilient dispensing container 10, the dispensing container is completely empty. As can be seen inFIG. 1 , the dispensingcontainer 10 is hermetically connected with the cylindrical fastening of thebody 7. - The
first reservoir 2 containing the main product for being dispensed is fluidly connected with thefirst cavity 8 of thefirst aerosol valve 1 via thesupply channel 9 extending through thebody 7. In the upper part of thefirst valve 1, where thehead 15 is arranged, thesupply channel 9 changes from extending vertically to extending at an angle, and its outlet is located on the sloping wall of thefirst cavity 8, in the vicinity of the firstinner seal 6. - The aerosol dispensing valve system operates in the following steps. In the rest position of the first releasing
stem 3, the product stored at a certain pressure in thefirst reservoir 2 flows through thesupply channel 9 to thefirst cavity 8 of thefirst aerosol valve 1 and further, via the channel extending through thebody 7, to theresilient dispensing container 10. Theresilient dispensing container 10 takes the energy from the pressure of the product and expands to the volume limited by the volume of the rigid limitingcontainer 11, compressing the gas present in (filling) the limitingcontainer 11 to the state of equilibrium. - Such a solution can be used in the case when the propellant gas is a gas in the two-phase condition which ensures a constant pressure in the
first reservoir 2, from its fully filled state to its entirely empty state. - Next, pressing the first releasing
stem 3 opens thefirst aerosol valve 1. The vertical movement downwards of the first releasingstem 3 also causes the firstinner seal 6 to deform in such a manner that it covers and simultaneously closes the outlet of thesupply channel 9 fluidly connected with thefirst reservoir 2. Moreover, the vertical movement downwards of the first releasingstem 3 causes a channel extending transversely in the first releasingstem 3 and located in the vicinity of the connection between the first releasingstem 3 and thefirst closure 4 to be uncovered, thereby opening thefirst aerosol valve 1. While thefirst aerosol valve 1 remains open, the elastic strain energy of theresilient dispensing container 10 and the energy of the gas compressed in the rigid limitingcontainer 11 cause theresilient dispensing container 10 to be emptied in a precisely defined dose equal to the volume of the rigid limitingcontainer 11 reduced by the volume of the gas compressed in the rigid limitingcontainer 11. In such a case, the product stored in theresilient dispensing container 10 is discharged from theresilient dispensing container 10 into thefirst cavity 8 and further, via thefirst outlet channel 5, outside of the aerosol dispensing valve system. - In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the
resilient dispensing container 10 can be selected in such a manner that its initial volume is equal to zero, and the preliminary internal pressure from its elasticity has a positive value lower than the pressure in thefirst reservoir 2. - After the first releasing
stem 3 is released, it returns to its initial position, moved by the pressure caused by thefirst spring 14. In such a case, the inlet channel extending perpendicularly in the first releasingstem 3 is closed by being sealed with the firstinner seal 6, and the return deformation of the firstinner seal 6 opens the outlet of thesupply channel 9, thus opening a passage for the product stored in thefirst reservoir 2 to fill again theresilient dispensing container 10 up to the volume limited by the rigid limitingcontainer 11. - The second embodiment of the container for storing and dispensing a product of a predefined dose comprising an aerosol dispensing valve system according to the present invention has been illustrated in the partial longitudinal cross-sections in
FIGS. 2 and 3 . - The container with the aerosol dispensing valve system is similar in construction to the construction of the container with the aerosol dispensing valve system presented in the first embodiment, and therefore similar components will not be described again for the clarity of this description of the invention.
- Unlike in the first embodiment of the invention, the second embodiment of the container with the aerosol dispensing valve system comprises a
second aerosol valve 16. Thesecond aerosol valve 16, having a construction substantially similar to thefirst aerosol valve 1, is arranged between thefirst reservoir 2 and thesupply channel 9. Thesecond aerosol valve 16 comprises a vertically extending second releasingstem 17, which in this embodiment is a blind releasing stem connected with asecond closure 18. There is asecond cavity 20 formed in thecommon body 7. The construction and geometry of thesecond closure 18 and of thesecond cavity 20 are substantially similar to the construction and geometry of thefirst closure 4 and of thefirst cavity 8 and therefore for clarity they will not be described again here. The second releasingstem 17 is sealed from above with anadditional seal 19 arranged in the area of thehead 15, in the vicinity of the upper part of theouter casing 13. Inside thesecond cavity 20, there is located an initially compressedsecond spring 21, which exerts pressure on thesecond closure 18 in the direction of the second releasingstem 17. Between the upper surface of thesecond closure 18 and thehead 15, there is arranged a secondinner seal 22 which—similarly to theadditional seal 19 and the firstinner seal 6—is a rubber flat gasket ring. The second releasingstem 17 comprises a throughchannel 24 which connects in the lower part of the second releasingstem 17, in the connection area of the second releasingstem 17 with thesecond closure 18, to a perpendicularly extending channel, which is closed by the secondinner seal 22 when thesecond aerosol valve 16 is in closed position. In its upper part, the throughchannel 24 connects to the perpendicularly extending channel arranged in thesecond aerosol valve 16, in the area between theadditional seal 19 and the secondinner seal 22, thesecond aerosol valve 16 being in the closed position. Thesupply channel 9 extends at an angle through thehead 15 and its one outlet is located in thefirst cavity 8, in the vicinity of the firstinner seal 6, and its other outlet is located in the area between theadditional seal 19 and the secondinner seal 22, in the vicinity of the channel perpendicularly extending from the throughchannel 24. - The aerosol dispensing valve system operates in the following steps. After the second releasing
stem 17 is pressed, thesecond aerosol valve 16 is opened. The vertical movement downwards of the second releasingstem 17 causes the perpendicular channel located in the connection area of the second releasingstem 17 with thesecond closure 18 to be moved downwards, and thereby to be opened to thesecond cavity 20. The product contained in thefirst reservoir 2 flows into thesecond cavity 20 and then, via the throughchannel 24, to thesupply channel 9, and further via thefirst cavity 8 to the dispensingcontainer 10, which is provided withresilient means 25 and which is in this embodiment, as was in the first embodiment, theresilient dispensing container 10 made of an elastic material. Theresilient dispensing container 10 takes the energy from the pressure of the product and expands to the volume of the rigid limitingcontainer 11, compressing the gas present in it to the state of equilibrium. This situation is illustrated inFIG. 3 , in which theresilient dispensing container 10 is in the fully expanded state and fills entirely theinner space 12 of the rigid limitingcontainer 11. The releasing of the second releasingstem 17 causes the perpendicular channel and the throughchannel 24 connected with the perpendicular channel to be closed. - The subsequent pressing of the first releasing
stem 3 causes thefirst aerosol valve 1 to be opened and a predefined dose of the product contained in theresilient dispensing container 10 to be discharged. Releasing of the first releasingstem 3 causes thefirst aerosol valve 1 to be closed again. - The third embodiment of the container for storing and dispensing a product of a predefined dose comprising an aerosol dispensing valve system according to the present invention has been illustrated in the partial longitudinal cross-section in
FIG. 4 . - The container with the aerosol dispensing valve system is similar in construction to the construction of the container with the aerosol dispensing valve system presented in the second embodiment, and therefore similar components will not be described again for the clarity of this description of the invention.
- Unlike in the second embodiment of the invention, the third embodiment of the container with the aerosol dispensing valve system comprises a venting
channel 23, which extends from the rigid limitingcontainer 11 through thebody 7 to the outside of the aerosol dispensing valve system, thereby connecting theinner space 12 of the limitingcontainer 11 with the environment of the container for storing and dispensing a product of a predefined dose. Such a system can be used when the propellant gas is a single-phase gas, e.g. compressed air. In this case, as the product becomes increasingly depleted, the pressure in thefirst reservoir 2 decreases from an initial value (reservoir 2 full) to a final value (reservoir 2 empty). - The
resilient dispensing container 10 is designed in such a way that under the final pressure it fills the entireinner space 12 of the rigid limitingcontainer 11, thus providing a constant dose to be dispensed from the start to the end of emptying thefirst reservoir 2. - In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the
resilient dispensing container 10 can be selected in such a manner that its initial volume is equal to zero, and the preliminary internal pressure from its elasticity has a positive value lower than the pressure in thefirst reservoir 2. - The fourth embodiment of the container for storing and dispensing a product of a predefined dose comprising an aerosol dispensing valve system according to the present invention has been illustrated in the partial longitudinal cross-sections in
FIGS. 5 and 6 . - The container with the aerosol dispensing valve system is similar in construction to the construction of the container with the aerosol dispensing valve system presented in the first embodiment, and therefore similar components will not be described again for the clarity of this description of the invention.
- Unlike in the first embodiment of the invention, the fourth embodiment of the container with the aerosol dispensing valve system comprises resilient means 25 exerting pressure on the dispensing
container 10, wherein the resilient means 25 are not an integrated structure of theresilient dispensing container 10, as was the case in example 1, but instead are made in the form of a resilient piston. The resilient piston is arranged in the rigid limitingcontainer 11 and has a piston part and a spring which rests against the bottom part of the rigid limitingcontainer 11.FIG. 5 shows the aerosol dispensing valve system, in which the dispensingcontainer 10 is empty, and the resilient means 25 in the form of a resilient piston are in the fully expanded position, compressing entirely the dispensingcontainer 10. In this embodiment, the dispensingcontainer 10 may be made of an elastic material such as for example thefirst reservoir 2, in the form of a bag known from the Bag-on-Valve systems. In order to allow it to be more precisely emptied, the dispensingcontainer 10 may be made in the form of a harmony or a bellows. - After the procedure of filling the dispensing
container 10 is started, the product delivered under pressure exerts a force on the resilient means 25 and overcomes their compressive force, “accumulating” the energy of the pressurized product. Thereby the dispensingcontainer 10 expands to the volume limited by the volume of the rigid limitingcontainer 11 with allowance for the space occupied by the compressed resilient means 25 (seeFIG. 6 ). - The fifth embodiment of the container for storing and dispensing a product of a predefined dose comprising an aerosol dispensing valve system according to the present invention has been illustrated in the partial longitudinal cross-sections in
FIGS. 7 and 8 . - The container with the aerosol dispensing valve system is similar in construction to the construction of the container with the aerosol dispensing valve system presented in the first and in the fourth embodiments, and therefore similar components will not be described again for the clarity of this description of the invention.
- Unlike in the first and in the fourth embodiments of the invention, the fifth embodiment of the container with the aerosol dispensing valve system comprises resilient means 25 exerting pressure on the dispensing
container 10, wherein the resilient means 25 are neither an integrated structure of theresilient dispensing container 10, as was the case in example 1, nor a resilient piston, as was the case in example 4, but are instead made in the form of a resilient spongy material. The spongy material which in this embodiment represents the resilient means 25 may be an elastic medical silicone. - The operating principle of the aerosol dispensing valve system in which the resilient spongy material is used in place of the resilient piston is analogous, and therefore this description will not be repeated for the clarity of this disclosure.
- The sixth embodiment of the container for storing and dispensing a product of a predefined dose comprising an aerosol dispensing valve system according to the present invention has been illustrated in the partial longitudinal cross-sections in
FIGS. 9 and 10 . - The container with the aerosol dispensing valve system is similar in construction to the construction of the container with the aerosol dispensing valve system presented in the first, fourth and fifth embodiments, and therefore similar components will not be described again for the clarity of this description of the invention.
- Unlike in the first, fourth and fifth embodiments of the invention, the sixth embodiment of the container with the aerosol dispensing valve system comprises resilient means 25 exerting pressure on the dispensing
container 10, wherein the resilient means 25 are neither an integrated structure of theresilient dispensing container 10, as was the case in example 1, nor a resilient piston, as was the case in example 4, nor a resilient spongy material, as was the case in example 5, but are instead made in the form of a gas spring. In this embodiment, the gas spring is nitrogen pumped into the rigid limitingcontainer 11 under an appropriate pressure. The nitrogen being the gas spring is pumped at the stage of installing the rigid limitingcontainer 11 together with the dispensingcontainer 10, through a self-vulcanizingvalve 26. The presented self-vulcanizingvalve 26 self-closes after the removal of the needle which pumps the propellant gas functioning as the gas spring. The operating principle of the aerosol dispensing valve system in which the gas spring is used in place of the elastic piston or the elastic spongy material is analogous, and therefore this description will not be repeated for the clarity of this disclosure. - The seventh embodiment of the container for storing and dispensing a product of a predefined dose comprising an aerosol dispensing valve system according to the present invention has been illustrated in the partial longitudinal cross-sections in
FIGS. 11 and 12 . - The container with the aerosol dispensing valve system is similar in construction to the construction of the container with the aerosol dispensing valve system presented in the first embodiment, and therefore similar components will not be described again for the clarity of this description of the invention.
- Unlike in the first embodiment of the invention, the seventh embodiment of the container with the aerosol dispensing valve system has a
supply channel 9, which is fluidly connected in the lower part of the valve with the dispensingcontainer 10 via the opensecond valve 16, thecavity 8 andapertures 27. The dispensingcontainer 10 cylindrically surrounds thebody 7 of thefirst valve 1 and of thesecond valve 16. -
- 1—first aerosol valve
- 2—first reservoir
- 3—first releasing stem
- 4—first closure
- 5—first outlet channel
- 6—first inner seal
- 7—body
- 8—first cavity
- 9—supply channel
- 10—dispensing container
- 11—rigid limiting container
- 12—inner space of the limiting container
- 13—outer casing
- 14—first spring
- 15—head
- 16—second aerosol valve
- 17—second releasing stem
- 18—second closure
- 19—additional seal
- 20—second cavity
- 21—second spring
- 22—second inner seal
- 23—venting channel
- 24—through channel
- 25—resilient means
- 26—self-vulcanizing valve
- 27—aperture
Claims (20)
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| PL431861 | 2019-11-20 | ||
| PLP.431861 | 2019-11-20 | ||
| PL431861A PL239416B1 (en) | 2019-11-20 | 2019-11-20 | An aerosol dispensing valve system and a container containing an aerosol dispensing valve system |
| PCT/IB2020/060880 WO2021099971A1 (en) | 2019-11-20 | 2020-11-18 | An aerosol dispensing valve system and a container comprising an aerosol dispensing valve system |
Related Parent Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IB2020/060880 A-371-Of-International WO2021099971A1 (en) | 2019-11-20 | 2020-11-18 | An aerosol dispensing valve system and a container comprising an aerosol dispensing valve system |
Related Child Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| US18/416,157 Division US20240239593A1 (en) | 2019-11-20 | 2024-01-18 | Aerosol Dispensing Valve System And A Container Comprising An Aerosol Dispensing Valve System |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| US20220411171A1 true US20220411171A1 (en) | 2022-12-29 |
| US11912492B2 US11912492B2 (en) | 2024-02-27 |
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| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| US17/778,502 Active US11912492B2 (en) | 2019-11-20 | 2020-11-18 | Aerosol dispensing valve system and a container comprising an aerosol dispensing valve system |
| US18/416,157 Abandoned US20240239593A1 (en) | 2019-11-20 | 2024-01-18 | Aerosol Dispensing Valve System And A Container Comprising An Aerosol Dispensing Valve System |
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| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| US18/416,157 Abandoned US20240239593A1 (en) | 2019-11-20 | 2024-01-18 | Aerosol Dispensing Valve System And A Container Comprising An Aerosol Dispensing Valve System |
Country Status (8)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (2) | US11912492B2 (en) |
| EP (1) | EP4061742A1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP2023503092A (en) |
| KR (1) | KR20220118409A (en) |
| CN (1) | CN114728739B (en) |
| CA (1) | CA3158599A1 (en) |
| PL (1) | PL239416B1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2021099971A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IT202200006203A1 (en) | 2022-03-29 | 2023-09-29 | Fabio Guccini | FLUID DOSING DEVICE |
| IT202300006087A1 (en) | 2023-03-29 | 2024-09-29 | Fabio Guccini | FLUID DISPENSING DEVICE |
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| US4809888A (en) * | 1983-05-05 | 1989-03-07 | Societe De Promotion, Recherche Et Innovation Technologique | Metering valve |
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| JP6435182B2 (en) | 2013-12-13 | 2018-12-05 | 株式会社丸一 | Quantitative injection mechanism of aerosol container |
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2020
- 2020-11-18 JP JP2022529523A patent/JP2023503092A/en active Pending
- 2020-11-18 KR KR1020227018181A patent/KR20220118409A/en active Pending
- 2020-11-18 CN CN202080080078.2A patent/CN114728739B/en active Active
- 2020-11-18 WO PCT/IB2020/060880 patent/WO2021099971A1/en not_active Ceased
- 2020-11-18 US US17/778,502 patent/US11912492B2/en active Active
- 2020-11-18 EP EP20830301.6A patent/EP4061742A1/en active Pending
- 2020-11-18 CA CA3158599A patent/CA3158599A1/en active Pending
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2024
- 2024-01-18 US US18/416,157 patent/US20240239593A1/en not_active Abandoned
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3138301A (en) * | 1961-09-27 | 1964-06-23 | Seary Ltd | Metering button cap for use with pressurized containers |
| US3235135A (en) * | 1963-03-04 | 1966-02-15 | Evor Soc | Pressurized fluid dispenser with a measuring vessel |
| US3221946A (en) * | 1963-09-20 | 1965-12-07 | John K Riley | Dispenser for pressurized reservoir of the aerosol variety |
| US3245435A (en) * | 1963-12-12 | 1966-04-12 | Colgate Palmolive Co | Pressurized dispenser with propellant bag |
| US3360168A (en) * | 1965-01-08 | 1967-12-26 | Bret Pierre | Fluid-dispensing systems |
| US3858771A (en) * | 1969-04-04 | 1975-01-07 | Lablabo Soc | Liquid delivery valve construction |
| US4433797A (en) * | 1979-05-21 | 1984-02-28 | Karl Galia | Metered quantity dispensing valve |
| US4809888A (en) * | 1983-05-05 | 1989-03-07 | Societe De Promotion, Recherche Et Innovation Technologique | Metering valve |
| US4577784A (en) * | 1984-02-10 | 1986-03-25 | Etablissements Valois | Valve for dispensing a measured volume of fluid from a container containing a fluid substance under pressure |
| US4915262A (en) * | 1987-03-25 | 1990-04-10 | Societe De Promotion Recherche Et Innovation Technologique | Head for dispensing regulated amounts of material for use with a pressurized container with a continuous valve |
| US5520310A (en) * | 1992-02-24 | 1996-05-28 | L'oreal | Fluid dispensing container having a variable volume conditioning chamber |
| US6273304B1 (en) * | 1999-11-10 | 2001-08-14 | Toyo Aerosol Industry Co., Ltd. | Subdividing apparatus for aerosol container |
| US7104424B2 (en) * | 2003-12-17 | 2006-09-12 | Precision Valve Corporation | Aerosol valve actuator |
| US20190071242A1 (en) * | 2017-09-01 | 2019-03-07 | The Procter & Gamble Company | Apparatus and method for dispensing a metered dose of a product |
| US10399767B2 (en) * | 2017-12-19 | 2019-09-03 | Precision Valve Corporation | Metered valve for dispensing product |
| US10661291B2 (en) * | 2018-03-09 | 2020-05-26 | Aptar Radolfzell Gmbh | Dispenser for discharging liquids, and operating method therefor |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| KR20220118409A (en) | 2022-08-25 |
| JP2023503092A (en) | 2023-01-26 |
| US20240239593A1 (en) | 2024-07-18 |
| CN114728739A (en) | 2022-07-08 |
| PL239416B1 (en) | 2021-11-29 |
| WO2021099971A1 (en) | 2021-05-27 |
| CN114728739B (en) | 2024-04-12 |
| EP4061742A1 (en) | 2022-09-28 |
| PL431861A1 (en) | 2021-05-31 |
| CA3158599A1 (en) | 2021-05-27 |
| US11912492B2 (en) | 2024-02-27 |
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